Fuel filler pipe having trigger point

Abstract

A fuel filler pipe having a trigger point formed between the fuel supply port and the fuel tank. The trigger point is a trough-like depression which, if there is a structural disruption of the vehicle, will facilitate a buckling mode in the pipe and consequent energy absorption. This configuration reduces or eliminates the amount of displacement of the fuel filler pipe into the fuel tank during such structural disruption of the vehicle.

1 . A fuel filler pipe for a motor vehicle which is provided between a fuel tank and a fuel supply port, the fuel filler pipe comprising:
 a fuel filler body having a fuel tank end and a fuel supply port end, said fuel filler body having a first diameter; and   a trigger point formed on said fuel filler body between said fuel tank end and said fuel supply port end, said trigger point having a second diameter, said second diameter being less than said first diameter, whereby said trigger point allows for buckling of said fuel filler body if one of said fuel tank end or said fuel supply port end is displaced with respect to the other of said fuel tank end or said fuel supply port end.   
   
   
       2 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 1  wherein said trigger point is defined by a trough-like depression formed in said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       3 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 1  wherein said fuel filler body has a bend formed therein between said fuel tank end and said fuel supply port end and said trigger point is formed on said bend. 
   
   
       4 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 3  wherein said trigger point is defined by a trough-like depression formed on said bend. 
   
   
       5 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 1  wherein said second diameter is between about 70 and 90 percent of the first diameter. 
   
   
       6 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 1  wherein said second diameter is about 80 percent of said diameter. 
   
   
       7 . A fuel filler pipe for a motor vehicle which is provided between a fuel tank and a fuel supply port, the fuel filler pipe comprising:
 a fuel filler body having a diameter and having a fuel tank end and a fuel supply port end, said fuel filler body having a bend formed between said fuel tank end and said bend, said trigger point having a diameter, said diameter of said trigger point being different from said diameter of said fuel filler body.   
   
   
       8 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 7  wherein said diameter of said trigger point is less than said diameter of said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       9 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 7  wherein said trigger point is defined by a trough-like depression formed in said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       10 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 7  wherein said diameter of said trigger point is between about 70 and 90 percent of the diameter of said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       11 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 7  wherein said diameter of said trigger point is about 80 percent of the diameter of said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       12 . A fuel filler body having a diameter and having a fuel tank end and a fuel supply port end, said fuel filler body further including a trigger point, said trigger point having a diameter, said diameter of said trigger point being different from said diameter of said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       13 . The fuel filler of  claim 12  wherein said fuel filler body has a diameter and said trigger point has a diameter, said diameter of said fuel filler body being different from said diameter of said trigger point. 
   
   
       14 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 13  wherein said diameter of said trigger point is less than said diameter of said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       15 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 12  wherein said trigger point is defined by a trough-like depression formed in said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       16 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 12  wherein said fuel filler body has a bend formed between said fuel tank end and said fuel supply port end, said trigger point being formed at said bend. 
   
   
       17 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 12  wherein said diameter of said trigger point is between about 70 and 90 percent of the diameter of said fuel filler body. 
   
   
       18 . The fuel filler pipe of  claim 12  wherein said diameter of said trigger point is about 80 percent of the diameter of said fuel filler body.